Muddy Waters guitarist Magic Slim dead at 75

Muddy Waters guitarist, Magic Slim has died at the age of 75. In this July 5, 2009 file photo, Bluesman Magic Slim performs with his band “The Teardrops” on the final day of the Waterfront Blues Festival in Portland, Ore. Slim, a contemporary of blues greats Muddy Waters and Howlin’ Wolf who helped shape the sound of the Chicago blues, died Thursday, Feb. 21, 2013. He was 75.(AP Photo/Greg Wahl-Stephens, File)

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Magic Slim, a contemporary of blues greats Muddy Waters and Howlin’ Wolf who helped shape the sound of Chicago’s electric blues, has died at age 75.

His manager Marty Salzman says Slim died shortly after midnight Thursday at a Philadelphia hospital. Salzman says Slim had health problems that worsened while he was on tour several weeks ago in Pennsylvania.

Magic Slim and the Teardrops performed Chicago-style electric blues, led by his singing and guitar playing, and were regulars on the music festival circuit.

Slim’s given name was Morris Holt. The Mississippi native established himself in Chicago’s thriving blues community in the 1950s but more recently lived in Lincoln, Neb.

Salzman calls Slim “the real deal” with fans around the globe.

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